Introduction

Eighteen countries from the Euro-Asian region, working together under a UN Development Account Project, have identified the main Euro-Asian road and rail routes for priority development and cooperation.

In addition, under this project these countries have also evaluated and prioritized a large number of projects along these routes, developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) database, and made a preliminary analysis of transit transport obstacles and recommendations for reducing them. The project achievements include also the organization of a number of national capacity-building workshops on transport facilitation. The Expert Group that has met four times under the project has become a good cooperation mechanism for the coordinated development of Euro-Asian links.

In view of the importance of the development of Euro-Asian Transport Links, which has also been confirmed in the Work Plan on UNECE Reform, the Inland Transport Committee stressed the need to continue with the project and to set up a permanent monitoring mechanism. In the same vein and in order to ensure a continuation of the dynamic momentum established, member countries asked UNECE and UNESCAP to ensure funding and sustainability of the project. Following this request, the two secretariats elaborated a joint proposal for a Phase II of the project to be implemented during a period of four years.